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United States Patent | 5,594,829 |
LoStracco ,   et al. | January 14, 1997 |
An optical fiber dispenser (40) includes a bobbin (42), an optical fiber pack (52) overlying the bobbin (42), and a thermal expansion accommodation layer (50) positioned between the bobbin (42) and the optical fiber pack (52 ). The thermal expansion accommodation layer (50) is made of a material, such as a silicone elastomer, that is readily deformable to accommodate the different longitudinal coefficients of thermal expansion of the bobbin (42) and the optical fiber pack (52). The thermal expansion accommodation layer (50) has a thickness, typically more than about 1/8 inch for a conventional bobbin size, sufficient to reduce any thermal stresses produced by the different longitudinal coefficients of thermal expansion to less than the failure strength of the optical fiber pack (52).
Inventors: | LoStracco; Gregory (1926 N. Tucker Dr., Tucson, AZ 85716); Chesler; Ronald B. (80 N. Calle Primarosa, Tucson, AZ 85716-4936); Hsu; Hui-Pin (9360 Zelzah Ave., Northridge, CA 91325) |
Appl. No.: | 478297 |
Filed: | June 7, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: | 385/134; 385/147 |
Intern'l Class: | G02B 006/36 |
Field of Search: | 244/3,12 156/172,166,167,169,156 385/134,137,115,12,147,123 |
5220632 | Jun., 1993 | LoStroacco | 385/137. |
5256237 | Oct., 1993 | Maas et al. | 156/156. |